Selby 7 Brods 34

Brucey's Report

Brods road trip to Selby produced a further maximum 5 league points with another strong showing away from home and Brods maintained their early season 100% record . The results early season have been based a big defensive effort which has so far conceded only 60 points, the best defensive record in the Yorkshire leagues.

In excellent dry conditions Brods kicked off and the home side were under immediate pressure from the visiting forward pack. On the eighth minute after consecutive lineouts in the home 22 Brods drove and Matt Raven was forced over the try line in a well controlled rolling maul and emerged with the ball to claim the opening try. The Woodhead boys continued to dominate play in the Selby half and with Danny Cole kicking well pinned the home side into their 22. Brods soon added to their early score, from a lineout on the left Bob Sykes took good clean ball and as the maul formed Brod’s second row forward Pete Williams broke and powered over the line. Akroyd converted from the touchline and with the score at 12-0 Brods looked to be in complete control. The home side eventually gained some composure and with some ball started to build their attack . Unfortunately with deteriorating conditions as rain started to fall handling errors interrupted the flow of the game. After 30 minutes Selby’s strong running centre made good ground and released young wingman Jack Cockerham who showed great pace to finish a fine move and put the home side back in the game. Matt Leetham converted to make the scoreline 7-12. Brods no 8 Cameron was surprised to receive a yellow card for an alleged foul tackle as halftime approached however Brods defence remained firm to defend their hard earned lead.

At halftime Brods made two substitutions with their two American players taking the field in the shape of the popular Benny Pritchett and the newly arrived Jay Dahlinger. With possession and territory now being shared handling errors were also featuring heavily. Brods scrum half Joe Armitage took an interception on half way however didn’t have the legs to make it to the line. From the resulting position however Akroyd kicked a fine penalty goal to extend the lead to 7-15. With more fine control from Danny Cole at fly half Brods played rugby in the right areas of the field and having worked a good position a further line out drive earned a debut try for Dahlinger and a conversion for Akroyd 7-22. Brods defence had remained solid repelling any efforts from the home side and with Cameron Wroot and Ben Burnside in particular enjoying some strong runs with ball in hand Selby were now hanging on whilst Brods looked for their bonus point try. This duly arrived when Nathan Scott made a break in midfield and opted to kick in order to beat the covering defence. Danny Cole showed great pace to chase the kick down beating several defenders in the race to the ball. Cole deserved the try following a fine personal performance. Akroyd added the extras to extend the lead to 7-29. With full time approaching Brods confirmed their dominance of the game when Pritchard showed his characteristic pace down the right before releasing young no 8 Cameron Wroot who finished in fine style in the corner. Final score Selby 7 Brods 34